Steer vs. Drive Tires

Super_Dave wrote:
"Drive" tires conjures up visions of "all terrain" or "off-road" use. Do you do much traveling down the off beat goat roads?

You brought up a good issue Super Dave ... that is how do we use our TC? We're pretty much highway, asphalt roads & tight packed gravel road travelers/campers (as in going to and staying at provincial/state parks etc). We do not go off the beaten trail to the back "forty" to boondock or camp. We don't rock climb or do anything close to that. Although we do have a 4x4 truck, it's mostly about inclement weather vs. explore the regions beyond the beaten paths.

The wildest place we'd go is maybe onto a beach ... and even then, it would have to be hard packed and with narrower "pizza cutter" tires, I would not risk it. There is a possibility we'd might take the odd winter trip to FL from Canada meaning perhaps traveling through snow/ice conditions for part of the journey.

From what I've read, the ribbed tread designs are quieter, track better and are worse for wet/snow traction if used on the rear drive wheels. The lugged tread designed tires have better traction but are noisier, wander more as steer tires and can wear/tear up if used in the front steer position.

Then there are those tires that have both ribbed and lugged features in their tread design that are said to be OK for both steer and drive use. I'm sort of leaning towards a hybrid like these or ... simply going with a ribbed tire front and back. I also have a set of Michelin LT M&S2 tires for summer when not hauling the TC and a set of snow rated tires for winter when not hauling the TC.